The Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, has sparked discussion with his recent remarks about veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. Speaking at the inaugural Sam Njuba Memorial Lecture organized by the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Otafiire stated that Besigye remains “innocent in the court of public opinion” until the government provides clear evidence of any wrongdoing.
Otafiire’s comments appear to challenge the government’s longstanding stance on Besigye, who has faced serious charges over the past year. The minister emphasized that public judgment should not precede the presentation of credible evidence. “Besigye should be tried in court and condemned or absolved. We don’t know what he did. For us, in the court of public opinion, he’s innocent,” he said, calling for fairness and transparency in the process.
Besigye, a four-time challenger to President Yoweri Museveni, was arrested on November 16, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside his political ally Hajj Obeid Lutale while attending a book launch by former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua. They were transported to Uganda and charged before the General Court Martial with illegal possession of firearms and treachery, allegedly committed in Greece, Switzerland, and Nairobi. Both men denied the charges.
On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that civilians cannot be tried in military courts, prompting the transfer of their case to Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court and later to the High Court on treason charges. Their defense, led by Martha Karua and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, sought bail citing prolonged detention without committal, but Justice Emmanuel Baguma dismissed the application, leading the accused to vow not to return until the judge recused himself.
Otafiire stressed that, without public disclosure of evidence, Besigye remains innocent in the eyes of Ugandans. “Besigye remains innocent in the court of public opinion until the government genuinely tells the public his true crime,” he said, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in politically sensitive cases.
The minister’s remarks are likely to reignite debates about Besigye’s prolonged detention, the role of military courts in civilian cases, and the fairness of Uganda’s justice system. Legal experts note the tension between public perception and formal legal processes, emphasizing that citizens’ rights and transparency are key to maintaining trust in justice.
As the country awaits the government’s response, Otafiire’s comments underscore the need for clarity and evidence to resolve public uncertainty surrounding Besigye’s charges.
